Hudson rose to fame in 2004 as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, placing seventh. She made her film debut as Effie White in the musical Dreamgirls (2006), for which she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, becoming the youngest African-American to win in a competitive acting category. After signing to Arista Records, Hudson released her self-titled debut studio album in 2008, which was certified Gold in the US and the UK, and won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album.
Hudson's subsequent studio albums, I Remember Me (2011) and JHUD (2014), both charted within the top ten of the Billboard 200, with the former also being certified Gold in the US. Meanwhile, her other acting roles include the films Sex and the City (2008), The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Winnie Mandela (2011), Black Nativity (2013), Sing (2016), Cats (2019) and Respect (2021), the television shows Smash (2012), Empire (2015) and Confirmation (2016), and her Broadway debut with the musical The Color Purple. Hudson also contributed as a coach on the UK and the US version of The Voice from 2017 up to 2019, becoming the first female coach to win the former.
Heavy
Jennifer Hudson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy baby
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy on me
Beyonce:
You used to be so light and free
You used to smile just looking at me
Now all you give is jealous hate
Dreamgirls:
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy baby
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy on me
Announcer:
... present The Dreamgirls presenting their latest hit Heavy.
Dreamgirls:
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy baby
Heavy, Heavy You got so heavy on me
Beyonce:
You used to want, nothing from me
You used to say lets both be free
You used to dance instead of walk
You never had to talk,talk,talk
Beyonce:
Heavy, Heavy (talk,talk,talk)
You got so heavy baby (talk,talk,talk)
Heavy, Heavy (talk,talk,talk)
Heavy, Heavy, Heavy, Heavy
The lyrics of "Heavy" by Jennifer Hudson, featured in the movie Dreamgirls, depict a significant change in a relationship. The song is performed by the Dreamgirls, with Beyoncé taking the lead vocals. In the context of the film, the song is performed as a way to express frustration and disappointment towards a partner who has become emotionally burdensome.
The opening lyrics, sung by Beyoncé, convey a sense of nostalgia for the past. The partner used to be carefree and happy, bringing lightness and joy to the relationship. However, over time, they have become consumed by jealousy and negativity ("Now all you give is jealous hate"). Beyoncé urges her partner to "lose some weight," not referring to physical weight, but rather the emotional heaviness they have burdened her with.
The repetition of the chorus emphasizes the weight that the partner's negativity and jealousy have placed on the relationship. It becomes a metaphorical burden that has become too heavy to bear. The Dreamgirls' performance is introduced by an announcer, highlighting the significance of this song in their repertoire. Beyoncé delivers another verse, reminiscing about the way things used to be. The partner used to be independent, content with their freedom, and willing to dance and enjoy life. However, now they are weighed down by their own issues and have become consumed by excessive talking.
Overall, the lyrics of "Heavy" convey the frustration and disappointment that can arise when a partner becomes emotionally burdensome. It is a plea for the partner to regain their lightness, joy, and freedom in order to revive the relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Heavy, Heavy
You have become burdensome and overwhelming
You got so heavy baby
Your presence and actions have become oppressive and suffocating
Heavy, Heavy
You have become burdensome and overwhelming
You got so heavy on me
Your weight and impact on me has become unbearable
You used to be so light and free
You were once carefree and easygoing
You used to smile just looking at me
You used to be happy and content in my presence
Now all you give is jealous hate
Now all you express towards me is envy and resentment
Come on baby baby lose some weight
I am urging you to release the negativity and heaviness that is impacting our relationship
You used to want, nothing from me
You once didn't desire anything from me
You used to say lets both be free
You used to advocate for both of us to experience freedom
You used to dance instead of walk
You used to express joy and happiness through dance instead of being reserved and distant
You never had to talk,talk,talk
We never had to engage in constant communication and explanation before
Heavy, Heavy (talk,talk,talk)
You have become burdensome and repetitive in your communication
You got so heavy baby (talk,talk,talk)
Your constant talking and need to explain everything has become burdensome on me
Heavy, Heavy (talk,talk,talk)
You have become burdensome and repetitive in your communication
Heavy, Heavy, Heavy, Heavy
You have become excessively burdensome and overwhelming
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TOM EYEN, HENRY D. KRIEGER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind